“Before I could purposefully kill the mood, Luke did it for me. “Fuck. You guys havin’ a sit down with Darius or an orgy in reception?”

“Maybe so, but Luke Stark pushed me against the wall and told me he was gonna fuck me, I'd say, 'When and what you want me to wear?' And I would not care if he did pull a slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I'd just take my orgasm and go. You hear what I'm sayin' to you? Shirleen asked.”

““Fuck! ” I shouted and everyone at the espresso counter looked over at us. “Half a million dollars?” Lee dropped his foot and turned to me. “Roxie, calm down.”“Half a million dollars and he bought me cheese puffs and took me to that sleaze bag motel? I’m gonna fucking kill that motherfucker!” I yelled.“Roxie –”I slammed my fists on my knees. “The least he could have done was bind my wrists with VELVET ROPE. He sure could have afforded it. Stupid jerk.”

“Luke, you have to know, it won’t be like the other guys. If it’s you, it’ll be worse.” My voice went softer, lower, barely a whisper. “If this goes bad, it’ll destroy me.”

“What are you gonna do?” I whispered.“I’m gonna do whatever I have to do to protect Luke while he does whatever the fuck he wants to do.”

“The phone at my ass started ringing, I leaned forward and pulled it out. “Don’t answer that,” Noah ordered.“Fuck you,” I shot back, saw the display said “Luke calling” and flipped it open.“Yo.”“Babe,” Luke replied.“I’ve been kidnapped again,” I informed him.“I know. I’m following.”

“Did you pay for the repairs on my Range Rover?” I asked him.“Yeah.”“Why?”“Why not?” he answered.I felt my hold on my temper slip. “Luke, it’s my car.”“Ava, you’re my woman.”I ignored the melty feeling that gave me too. “So?”“So you’re my woman, I take care of you.”“Luke – ““This isn’t up for discussion.”“It sure as hell is!”“I’m thinkin’, as payback for the hickey, I want you in that pink teddy thing tonight.”Was he for real?“Luke!”“Later.”Disconnect.Argh!”